Ballast Water Sterilizing Component Concentration Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The concentration of sterilizing components in ballast water within ballast tanks decreases over time, particularly when water temperature is high or organic substances are present, leading to regrowth of microbes and bacteria, which is a concern for marine ecosystems and compliance with international regulations.
Innovation Solution
A ballast water treatment device and method that includes a circulation pipe and sterilizing component-introducing unit to recirculate and reintroduce sterilizing agents, such as chlorine or hypochlorous acid, into the ballast water, maintaining an effective concentration through a sterilizing component adjustment unit that measures and controls the agent's dosage based on concentration levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sterilizing agents are introduced into ballast water at the time of filling, then initial sterilization effect is achieved, but sterilizing component concentration decreases over time leading to microbial regrowth
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump continuously circulates ballast water through the sterilizing component introducing unit, maintaining continuous sterilization action rather than a single initial dose. This ensures the sterilizing component concentration is continuously replenished, preventing microbial regrowth over extended periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-introduces sterilizing components into the circulation loop before microbial regrowth can occur. By continuously circulating water through the sterilizing unit, the system maintains preventive sterilization rather than reacting to contamination after it occurs
2Reliability
If more sterilizing agents are introduced to maintain concentration, then microbial regrowth is prevented, but material costs and neutralization needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The concentration detecting unit continuously monitors the sterilizing component concentration in ballast water and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the sterilizing component introducing unit based on actual measured concentrations, introducing agents only when and where needed to maintain effective levels without excessive consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the introduction rate of sterilizing components based on real-time concentration measurements and operational conditions. The circulation pump and introducing unit operate at variable rates rather than fixed maximum rates, optimizing chemical usage while maintaining effectiveness
3Reliability
If sterilizing component concentration is increased to prevent regrowth, then microbial control is improved, but harmful effects on marine ecosystem increase
Solution Approach 1:
The concentration detecting unit provides continuous monitoring feedback, enabling the control unit to maintain sterilizing component concentrations within optimal ranges. This prevents both under-sterilization (microbial regrowth) and over-sterilization (excessive chemical discharge harmful to marine ecosystems)
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the concentration parameter of sterilizing components based on detected water quality, temperature, and operational conditions. By optimizing concentration levels rather than using fixed high doses, the system achieves effective microbial control while minimizing harmful effects on the marine environment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively maintains a stable sterilizing component concentration in ballast water, preventing microbial regrowth and ensuring compliance with international standards for ballast water discharge, while minimizing the use of sterilization agents and reducing material costs and neutralization needs.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation pipe (80) which returns ballast water stored in the ballast tank (60) to the main pipe (2)
Implementation Method 2
a sterilizing component-introducing unit (40) which introduces a sterilizing component into ballast water flowing through the main pipe (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A ballast water treatment device 1 includes a ballast tank 60, a main pipe 2, a circulation pipe 80, and a sterilizing component-introducing unit 40. The circulation pipe 80 returns ballast water stored in the ballast tank 60 to the main pipe 2. The main pipe 2 guides ballast water to the ballast tank 60. The sterilizing component-introducing unit 40 introduces a sterilizing component to a downstream side of a part of the main pipe 2 connected with the circulation pipe 80. In a process of returning a part of ballast water stored in the ballast tank 60 to the ballast tank 60 via the circulation pipe 80 and the main pipe 2, by pouring a sterilizing component from the sterilizing component-introducing unit 40, a sterilizing component can be added to the ballast water. Accordingly, the ballast water treatment device 1 enables a sterilizing component concentration of ballast water to be increased.